Today once again proved that everyday citizens protesting their government are braver than the titans who own the largest media corporations, run the biggest law firms and lead the most powerful technology companies.

We are excited to announce our January titles: 📖 – REPRESENTATIONS OF THE INTELLECTUAL by Edward W. Said, 15 January; – HELEN OF NOWHERE by Makenna Goodman, 29 January; – PLASTIC by Matthew Rice, 29 January. 📖 Read excerpts and pre-order on our website: fitzcarraldoeditions.com/shop/

Something interesting you might not have realized: a number of words in English are NOUNS when you stress the FIRST syllable, but VERBS when you stress the SECOND syllable. "Your CONduct is better when you conDUCT yourself appropriately.” 🧵⬇️

The last paragraph of The Dead is perhaps the most compelling argument for continuing to use abverbs in your writing.

Diane Seuss: "a wish in one hand/and shit in another."

Gotta start the year the way you mean to finish. I.e. I sent off a few poems (punk poems) as an act of revolution.

Gotta start the year the way you mean to finish. I.e. I sent off a few poems (punk poems) as an act of revolution.

Booked out apparently. I guess that's good.

Remembering Phil Lynott who died 40 years ago today.

“You’re on Earth. There’s no cure for that.” — Samuel Beckett

I came for the title—Five Easy Pieces being one of my all-time favourite films; I stayed for the sound advice.

John Berger who died January 2, 2017: “The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled. Each evening we see the sun set. We know that the earth is turning away from it. Yet the knowledge, the explanation, never quite fits the sight.”

Well, I'm from the Midwest I know enough to cut a path Around a wood chipper And be careful Of any conversation A man starts by callin' you skipper 'Cause there ain't no ocean 'round here Though a lotta little lakes where you could disappear I wonder what the fish are bitin' on today, Jimmy Hiatt

“That's how it is on this bitch of an earth.”

John Berger who died January 2, 2017: “The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled. Each evening we see the sun set. We know that the earth is turning away from it. Yet the knowledge, the explanation, never quite fits the sight.”

Day 2 of 2026 in Ireland… how’s everyone holding up?

I did. I really did.

Remembering Manchán Magan who died Oct 2, 2025.

New Year’s Day haiku by Seamus Heaney — here in two versions: Seeing Things (Faber & Faber, 1991) and revised version (photo) from Bamboo Dreams . 1.1.87 Dangerous pavements. But I face the ice this year With my father’s stick.

via @tomgauld.bsky.social

As you ring the bells and wonder how the light gets in...

As you ring the bells and wonder how the light gets in...

“Writers have no real area of expertise. They are merely generalists with a highly inflamed sense of punctuation.” ― Lorrie Moore

“I’ll tell you exactly what I would do if I were 20 and wanted to be a good writer. I would study maintenance, preferably plumbing. … So that I could command my own hours and make a good living on my own time.” Gore Vidal

"...all the smart people figured out pretty fast that careers were made largely by luck."

The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little." ‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.” So a napkin is a little tablecloth. 10/10, no notes.

“I’ll tell you exactly what I would do if I were 20 and wanted to be a good writer. I would study maintenance, preferably plumbing. … So that I could command my own hours and make a good living on my own time.” Gore Vidal

Dermot Healy cornering me in the bar at the Farnham Arms Hotel in Cavan: 'You know your problem'—meaning writing, I think!—'too much up here' (pointing to his head) 'and not enough here' (tapping his heart).

This is the original publication by King Farouk Press (established by Roddy Doyle and Paul Mercer to publish The Commitments).

Sitting here listening to Jo Stafford with my dad. As good as it gets.

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove youtu.be/NGorjBVag0I?...

“The short winter’s day was drawing to a close. It seems to me sometimes that these are the only days I have ever known, and especially that most charming moment of all, just before night wipes them out.” — Samuel Beckett

Now this is my kind of Christmas song. Inexplicably, it didn't chart at the time. youtu.be/IvJkEy9G88A?...

Now this is my kind of Christmas song. Inexplicably, it didn't chart at the time. youtu.be/IvJkEy9G88A?...

See now, I would go to that. www.stellacinemas.ie/films/54906-...

Christmas Day by Paul Durcan: delicate, courteous, cordial www.theguardian.com/books/booksb...

Yup, I can recommend this one! 😉

Poem by Denis Johnson (via Narrative)

“Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

Oh my goodness. My son just sent a picture of where he is asking if I knew. I did.

Without libraries, I would be a pauper, intellectually and spiritually. James Michener

Without libraries, I would be a pauper, intellectually and spiritually. James Michener

Sitting with my window open, listening to the ridiculously civilised Sligo nightlife unfolding outside, with Fairytale of New York drifting gently across the Garavogue River.

Take a few minutes of peace: Sinéad O’Connor (born December 8, 1966) sings Silent Night. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWpX...

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

"...a range of short stories from leading contemporary American writers, blending close reading with creative practice. Participants will study their techniques... and apply what you learn to your own writing to strengthen your craft and develop your voice.#2 irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/the-...

Dorothy Parker on the most beautiful words in the English language: "The ones I like … are "cheque" and "enclosed."

Dorothy Parker on the most beautiful words in the English language: "The ones I like … are "cheque" and "enclosed."

Announcing my upcoming online workshop in #haiku and related forms @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social. It will run (in the evenings) for four weeks from Monday 12th January. All likes / shares / mentions much appreciated! 🙏🏻 irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/japa...